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August 2025 NewsletterWelcome to our digital monthly magazine! The Colonial Beach Connector is the Town’s official newsletter. Click on links to get more information. |
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| Have a News Tip?
Do you have an idea for a community story or information about an event that you want to share? Send text and high-resolution photographs (jpg & png) to communications@colonialbeachva.gov. All submitted material is subject to editorial review and revision and will be used as space and timing allow.
IN THIS ISSUE Local Feature Story Town Manager’s Office Parks, Recreation, & Events Department Police Department Finance & Customer Service Department Department of Public Works Community Development & Zoning Department Human Resources Department Economic Development Department Town Clerk’s Office Town Website Link to Town Meeting Calendar
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| A Toy Box Full of Kindness Building a Beach Toy Library for All
Jennifer Walsh-Gross and her husband Jimmy Gross are grandparents with a heartwarming mission: to make summer days more joyful for every child who visits the beach. It all started when Jennifer noticed children on the beach gazing longingly at the big mesh bag of toys she had collected. Many were toys left behind by other beachgoers. “We had plenty to share,” she said. She and her grandkids started distributing their found toys to kids who didn’t have any.
That simple act of kindness sparked a bigger idea: a Little Beach Toy Library where families could “borrow, play, and return” hard plastic sand toys. No blow-up toys, just sturdy ones that can be reused again and again. Jennifer hopes this will help families who can’t bring toys to the beach or don’t have room to take them home. “I just want to say thank you to all the people who have already donated toys.”
With support from the community, the project quickly gained momentum. Ace Hardware generously offered to cover the entire cost of building the toy box, and Jennifer invited local artist Eric Nelson to design toy box artwork to reflect the spirit of the town. A private donor contributed $100 for paint, and town officials including the Parks & Recreation Director, Public Works Director, and Town Manager helped shape the logistics. Public Works’ Chris Ruchty suggested placing the box on skids to keep it movable and safe, a solution that Jennifer and Jimmy, a master plumber and contractor, fully embraced.
The little beach toy library will soon be a reality. Jennifer asks that when the box is placed on the beach, if you find toys labeled “Beach Library” in Sharpie, please return them to the box so other children can enjoy them too.
“It would be so great if toys left on the beach could find their way to the toy library instead of the trash,” Jennifer explained. Thanks to her vision and the generosity of many others, that vision is becoming a reality one durable plastic beach toy at a time. |
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| From the Town Manager’s Desk:
Summer is reaching its peak,
August in Colonial Beach always brings its share of summer highs. As we enjoy sunny days and fun on the beach, it’s also important to be mindful of how we manage the powerful natural forces around us: high heat and high water.
Extended periods of high temperatures can take a toll on both our health and the town’s infrastructure. We can all check on our neighbors, especially the elderly, and take advantage of shaded areas outdoors.
With outdoor watering at its peak and summer storms rolling in unpredictably, August is also a key month for water management. We ask all residents to be thoughtful about water use—watering lawns early or late in the day, fixing any home leaks promptly, and keeping yard debris out of drainage ditches. These small actions help ease pressure on our stormwater systems.
Behind the scenes, we’re working hard to manage these elements at a community level. Improvements to our stormwater infrastructure are always underway.
In Colonial Beach whether we’re riding out a heat wave or being mindful of water use, I’m continually impressed by your spirit of community and care. Let’s keep that spirit alive as we move through the dog days of summer. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay safe.
Warmly,
Natasha Tucker, MBA/JD Town Manager Town of Colonial Beach
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| From the Assistant Town Manager:
August in Colonial Beach is a wonderful time of year. The days are still long and warm, the river is full of activity, and families are making the most of summer. At the same time, there's a sense of transition as students prepare to return to school.
We would like to wish all our students, teachers, and school staff a successful and rewarding school year. Colonial Beach is proud to be home to a close-knit community that values education and supports one another. Whether it's the excitement of the first day of kindergarten or the final year of high school, this season is filled with new opportunities and fresh beginnings.
As the school year starts, please remember to drive carefully around school zones and be mindful of buses and crosswalks. A little extra caution helps keep our children safe.
Thank you to the parents, educators, and everyone in the community who helps our students grow. Let’s enjoy what’s left of summer and look forward to a strong start to the school year ahead.
Kyler Brower, MPA
Assistant Town Manager
Town of Colonial Beach |
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| Saturday & Sunday, August 16 & 17
Water Fest 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sunday Town Hill & Boardwalk
Rod Run 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM on Saturday and 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Sunday Town Hill
Water Fest features pirates, mermaids, food, vendors, a moon bounce & waterslide, and activities for all ages. Come dressed for swashbuckling fun and get your photo taken with your favorite mermaid!
The Annual Rod Run to the Beach is back with a spectacular lineup of hot rods, muscle cars, and customized classics! Food, music, and merch will satisfy your cravings while you enjoy the automotive eye candy. For you "gearheads" this is the ultimate destination to immerse yourself in the world of vintage automotive marvels! |
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| Saturday & Sunday, August 30 & 31
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM on Saturday 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM on Sunday
The Labor Day Weekend Arts & Crafts Festival Over 100 vendors line both sides of the boardwalk for this Colonial Beach tradition. Nearly every type of Arts and Crafts is represented at this 2-day event. A shopping destination for home décor, jewelry, wood crafts and any and everything else you could want for you or a special someone. This event is a regional favorite held the last weekend in August/first weekend in September every year for over 50 years! |
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| Saturday, August 16
World Photography Day All Day at CB Creative at 114 Washington Avenue after 7:00 AM.
Colonial Beach Parks, Recreation, & Events and Colonial Beach Explorers host our 3rd World Photography Day! Camera tutorials, indoor and outdoor photography meet-ups, networking, tours, an event lanyard identifying you as a photographer, snacks, and water complete the day. Experts at various locations share their expertise. This event is sunrise to sunset. Do as much or as little as you like, it’s up to you. Photographers of all levels and camera types (including cell phones) are welcome. Registration is $20. Pay in person by check or cash. Email sadams@colonialbeachva.gov to register or for more information! |
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| Friday, August 8 PRE Coffee Walk 8:00 AM at Colonial Buzz at 215 Washington Ave. Join old friends and new for a stroll along the Boardwalk. ~ Sip N’ Stroll 6:00-9:00 PM in Downtown Colonial Beach (bound by Washington and Colonial Avenues, the Beach, and Boundary Street) happens in coordination with the Colonial Beach Artists’ Guild’s 2nd Friday ArtWalk! |
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| Four-Legged Family Members Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to dangerous levels in minutes. This puts your pet at risk of heatstroke or death. Cracking windows won’t help enough. If you love them, don’t leave them in a hot car. Take your furry family members with you or leave them safely at home. Their lives depend on it. |
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| Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of the month. We hope to see those of you interested in the Neighborhood Watch program on August 28th at 5:30 PM in the Police Department conference room inside the Truist bank building at 416 Colonial Avenue in Colonial Beach. |
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| From the Finance Department:
If you are experiencing financial difficulties, please contact the Finance Department to arrange payment options. Make your payments in person or by mail at
315 Douglas Ave., Colonial Beach, VA 22443, or online at our payment portal. Debit and credit card payments have a 2.95% convenience fee.
Special E-BILL MessageSign up for E-BILL by sending your name,
property address and a valid email address to: BILLING@COLONIALBEACHVA.GOV Be sure to include the word, “E-BILL”, in the subject line. Please allow one billing cycle for processing.
If you sign up for E-BILL, no paper bill will be mailed!If you have any questions or need assistance
CALL: 804-224-7183 |
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| 2025 Yard Debris Pick-up
The next yard debris pick up will be August 4, 2025 - August 8, 2025 ____________________________ More Information about the Department of Public Works can be found at: https://colonialbeachva.gov/CBpublicworks
A Reminder for our Colonial Beach Residents
Protect Colonial Beach Help Keep Our Drainage Ditches Clean and Clear!
Yard waste like leaves, twigs, and grass clippings might seem harmless—but when left unmanaged, they can block drainage ditches and contribute to serious water issues in our community.
Drainage ditches are an essential part of our stormwater system. They collect and carry rainwater away from roads, driveways, and yards, helping to prevent floods and water damage. But when these ditches are clogged with debris, water backs up causing localized flooding.
Here’s how you can make a difference: Leave the leaves. Shred fallen leaves using a mulching mower to create natural fertilizer for your lawn. This reduces waste and keeps your soil healthy.
Be smart about bagging. Use paper yard bags for leaves, grass clippings and other yard debris for collection on yard debris pick up days.
Keep ditches obstruction-free. Never blow, rake, or dump leaves into ditches. Burning leaves near these areas is also a fire hazard and should be avoided.
Secure your stuff. Strong winds can carry toys, tools, and containers into drainage channels. Be sure to store outdoor items safely, especially before storms.
Use what the rain gives you. Rain barrels and redirected downspouts help reduce runoff while watering your plants naturally.
Scoop the poop. Pet waste left on the ground can wash into ditches and pollute our waterways with harmful bacteria. Always clean up after your pets.
One Rule to Remember
If it’s not RAIN, it doesn’t belong in the DITCH!
By taking a few small steps, you help ensure that Colonial Beach stays dry, clean, and beautiful. Help keep our drainage system flowing and our environment protected.
F. O. G.
Fats, Oils, and Grease Keep F.O.G. - Out of the Drain!
Fats, oils, and grease, or F.O.G., can clog our sewer systems if not handled properly. When poured down the drain, these substances harden and build up over time. Fortunately, you can help prevent this with some simple habits: Cut Back When Cooking: Use less oil or grease when preparing meals.
Let It Cool and Store Safely: Once you’re done cooking, allow leftover grease to cool. Pour it into a container like an empty juice carton or soup can. These containers can be tossed when full.
Wipe, Don’t Wash: Use a spatula to scrape out as much cold grease as possible from pans. Wipe the rest out with a paper towel before washing dishes.
Freeze It Until Trash Day: Store your grease-filled container in the freezer. When it’s full and solid, throw the whole thing in the garbage.
Get Creative With Leftovers: Some used grease can be repurposed! Mix solidified fat with birdseed to make suet for birds.
Every small action adds up. By keeping F.O.G. out of our drains, we help protect our infrastructure, save on maintenance, and support the health of our environment! |
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| Community Development & Zoning Office is OPEN to the Public Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM |
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| Human Resources Department: Our mission is to foster a work environment defined by fairness, open communication, personal accountability, trust, and mutual respect. We aim to deliver effective human resource management to attract and retain a qualified workforce that meets the needs of Colonial Beach while ensuring a positive experience for all employees.
If you would like to join our team, you can find open positions by clicking this link: Colonial Beach Employment |
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| Interns Harmony Williams and
Noah Foster on Town Hall Experience
From Harmony: “This year’s summer internship program has been an outstanding experience. The camaraderie among the interns made a huge difference in our ability to succeed, especially on the projects we were assigned in the Planning and Zoning and Finance departments. The communication flow from our supervisors was excellent—clear, consistent, and supportive. We received a great deal of direction and guidance that helped us stay on track and deliver quality work.
I would gladly return to this internship program if invited again. I highly recommend this opportunity to other students. The work environment struck a great balance between being challenging and comfortable, and we always felt welcomed by management. They were open to our questions and encouraged discussions about future opportunities.
This program is ideal for any high school junior or senior who is serious about learning, growing professionally, and being part of a team-oriented environment.”
From Noah: “My internship with the Town of Colonial Beach has been a truly rewarding experience. Since starting in June, I’ve appreciated the close-knit, supportive office environment which made the transition into the role very smooth and positive. I expected consistency in the pay schedule, and that expectation was met, which I value.
The work environment has been busy and engaging—something I genuinely enjoy. I’ve been learning new skills that I know will benefit me in the real world, and I’ve consistently felt like a valued member of the team.
I would return in a heartbeat—if you all would have me back. It’s been a great experience, both professionally and personally.” |
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| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT - JULY 2025 CB Celebrates Advancing Main Street Designation
Tuesday, July 29 was a landmark day for Colonial Beach. At 9:30 in the morning, leaders from the state, county and town gathered with local citizens and business owners to celebrate the official designation of Colonial Beach as an Advancing Main Street (AVMS) community, part of a remarkable economic development network promoting a preservation-based approach to thoughtful growth and economic vitality.
Virginia's Main Street (VMS) program, headquartered within the state's Department of Housing and Community Development, was one of the first in the nation formed under the National Main Street Center's (NMSC) impactful grid. NMSC, now called Main Street America (MSA), was founded in 1980 as a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and created to help revitalize traditional and historic commercial districts across the country.
With its newly-minted Advancing Virginia Main Street status, Colonial Beach is eligible for a range of services and assistance provided by VMS to communities working to revitalize their historic commercial districts. Our program, established through Downtown Colonial Beach (DCB), a volunteer 501(c)(3) organization committed to long-term implementation of the Main Street Approach, is partnering with the Town of Colonial Beach. In its vision and tireless work over the past several years, DCB is exhibiting a strong local will to create positive change in our community which has led to this important moment in our Town's history.
For more information, email ccole@colonialbeachva.gov
 Colonial Beach Town Manager Natasha Tucker and former Colonial Beach Town Manager India Adams-Jacobs at the July 29, 2025
Main Street event.
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| The Office of the Town Clerk Mission Statement: The Office of the Town Clerk serves the Town Council and the citizens of Colonial Beach by providing quality records control and documentation functions. As the lead communication team member for the Town, providing and disseminating accurate and timely information in a courteous fashion is the number one goal. |
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| Town Council <<< Work Session: Wednesday, August 6 at 6:00 PM >>>> <<< Town Meeting: Wednesday, August 20 at 6:00 PM >>>>
Meetings are held at the Town Center 22 Washington Avenue, Colonial Beach, VA 22443 |
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| | | VisitCBVA.com is a website specifically made for local tourism. Whether you are a year around resident or visiting Colonial Beach for the first time, you’ll find fun things to do and interesting places to go in an easy to navigate format. If you have a business with great activities, publicize your event(s) on the VisitCBVA calendar. This is a free service. Please review the requirements before submitting. All events must take place in Colonial Beach.Events must contain the event title, date & time, business name, address, contact number, website (if any), cost (if any), & a brief event synopsis.Do not add repetitive events for longer than 12 months (weekly or monthly).Pictures are optional (400px x 400px) max size.Your listing will automatically be added for review after you click “Submit Event”.All events will go through a review process and VisitCBVA retains the right to decide which events are the right fit for the calendar.
Please allow 2-3 business days for VisitCBVA to review & approve your submission.
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| Link to Calendar of Meetings
All town meetings, unless specified, are held at the Town Center
22 Washington Avenue, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443
Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 6:00 PM
-Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 6:00 PM-Planning Commission
Thursday, August 14, 2025, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM -Tuesday, August 19, 2025-Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 6:00 PM-SPACEColonial Beach Town Meetings are open to all. Your participation in Town Government is welcome. Town Council meetings can be viewed after the meeting on YouTube or in real time on the Town’s Website: |
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| Click here for past Colonial Beach Connector newsletters. Click here to forward this newsletter to a friend and/or to subscribe. |
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| Colonial Beach in the News! |
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| Check out the Consumer Product Safety Commission Video on Beach Umbrella Safety! Parts of the video were shot on our beach! |
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| Downtown Colonial Beach puts our community on the map by helping Colonial Beach become a Mainstreet Affiliate. Click the yellow link to read more about it! |
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| Colonial Beach, Virginia is highlighted in the Virginia Tourism Official 2025 Travel Guide. Click the yellow link above! Click Here to learn how to get a free guide and Virginia map! |
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| According to Zillow, Colonial Beach, Virginia is No. 1! 10 Virginia Coastal Towns where You Get the Most Bang for Your Buck When Buying a Home by Jon Dykstra |
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| Good things are ALWAYS
happening at The Beach! |
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| Uses The CodeRED® system will be used to send urgent communications from the Town of Colonial Beach. Caller ID When you see the following displayed, you will know the call is from us. If you would like to hear the last message delivered to your phone, simply dial the number back. |
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